“Your recent characterization of the situation at the border is very troubling,” Granger’s letter said. “I was stunned to read your statement that the security situation on the U.S.-Mexican border is ‘now better than ever’.”

According to Granger’s letter, dated April 6, at least 41 people have been killed in Ciudad Juarez in the last week, an issue that Napolitano failed to address during a speech given in Washington, D.C. on April 1.

“These incidents are an unfortunate reminder that the U.S.-Mexico border continues to be plagued by extreme level of violence,” the letter said.

Granger’s letter also called into question weather or not Napolitano &#151 who insisted that the border is not “out of control” &#151 understands “what is going on at the border” and if Napolitano’s comments served “a more political purpose.”

“A Cabinet secretary should rise above a political agenda and focus on the needs of our own nation,” Granger urged.

Despite Napolitano’s assertions that safety has improved along the border, Granger’s letter also disputed such claims, saying that “more than half” of Americans who died in Mexico in 2009 were killed in border cities.

“Large firefights have taken place in towns and cities in many parts of Mexico, often in broad daylight on streets and other public venues,” Granger said.

Although Granger was quick to dole out criticism toward Napolitano, she also praised the efforts of U.S. officers stationed near the border.

“Considering the level of violence, U.S. law enforcement officials have done an incredible job ensuring that the violence has not fully spilled over into the United States,” the letter said. “That being said, the number of Americans being killed from Texas to California is on the rise and that is unacceptable.”